Meet the Member: Michelle Steele, Earsham Street Deli
If you’ve ever stepped inside Earsham Street Deli – that jewel of an emporium on the Norfolk–Suffolk border – you’ll know it’s more than just a place to pick up something delicious. It’s a masterclass in taste, charm and hospitality.
Founded by Fritton Lake member, Michelle Steele, the Deli has become a local institution (with a second outpost at Snape Maltings), celebrated for its devotion to small producers and its knack for making the everyday feel just that little bit special and outright beautiful. With the season of gatherings upon us, we caught up with Michelle to talk about her career, her approach to hosting, and how she brings a little magic to the table. And just in time, too, as Michelle will soon be opening ‘The Edit’, a beautiful new extension of Earsham Street Deli, launching this December.
How did your career journey begin?
“It was completely unplanned. I was twenty-two, had no mortgage, no kids, no fear! So when a tiny deli came up for sale, I thought, ‘why not?’ I wanted to create a deli that felt warm and welcoming, not intimidating.”
What’s your entertaining philosophy?
“Ease and enjoyment over perfection. People remember how they felt, not whether the canapés were symmetrical.”
Signature hosting move?
“Little stations around the room. A drinks corner here, nibbles there, so people mingle naturally. Then, definitely abundance over fussiness – one great cheese with a mountain of crackers beats a dozen little fiddly bits any day.”
Hosting no-no?
“Trying to recreate something from Instagram because it looked pretty. It rarely works in real life, stick to what you know.”
Savoury or sweet?
“Both…but savoury wins.”
Favourite new Deli find?
“Audrey’s Chocolates (we stocked them before Liberty – for the record). Also, the new Olivieri 1882 panettone, it’s going straight on my Christmas table.”
Your secret to a ‘cosy but elevated’ mood?
“Candles (too many is just enough), good music and a touch of imperfection.”
Perfect Autumn day at Fritton Lake?
“A family swim, crunching through the leaves, a ride on the zip wire, and a long, cosy lunch in the clubhouse by the fire.”
You’re opening ‘The Edit’ this December, tell us more…
“We outgrew our Bungay store. After a successful pop-up last Christmas, we’re taking on the space opposite permanently. The Edit will be a curated mix of lifestyle and homeware pieces chosen with the same ethos we apply to the deli: provenance, craft, and things that are simply…lovely.”